The reports of the several Executive Departments, which will be laid
before Congress in the usual course, will exhibit in detail the operations
of the Government for the last fiscal year. Only the more important incidents
and results, and chiefly such as may be the foundation of the recommendations
I shall submit, will be referred to in this annual message.

The vast and increasing business of the Government has been transacted
by the several Departments during the year with faithfulness, energy, and
success.

The revenues, amounting to above $450,000,000, have been collected and
disbursed without revealing, so far as I can ascertain, a single case of
defalcation or embezzlement. An earnest effort has been made to stimulate
a sense of responsibility and public duty in all officers and employees
of every grade, and the work done by them has almost wholly escaped unfavorable
criticism. I speak of these matters with freedom because the credit of
this good work is not mine, but is shared by the heads of the several Departments
with the great body of faithful officers and employees who serve under
them. The closest scrutiny of Congress is invited to all the methods of
administration and to every item of expenditure.

The friendly relations of our country with the nations of Europe and
of the East have been undisturbed, while the ties of good will and common
interest that bind us to the States of the Western Hemisphere have been
notably strengthened by the conference held in this capital to consider
measures for the general welfare. Pursuant to the invitation authorized
by Congress, the representatives of every independent State of the American
continent and of Hayti met in conference in this capital in October, 1889,
and continued in session until the 19th of last April. This important convocation
marks a most interesting and influential epoch in the history of the Western
Hemisphere. It is noteworthy that Brazil, invited while under an imperial
form of government, shared as a republic in the deliberations and results
of the conference. The recommendations of this conference were all transmitted
to Congress at the last session.

The International Marine Conference, which sat at Washington last winter,
reached a very gratifying result. The regulations suggested have been brought
to the attention of all the Governments represented, and their general
adoption is confidently expected. The legislation of Congress at the last
session is in conformity with the propositions of the conference, and the
proclamation therein provided for will be issued when the other powers
have given notice of their adhesion.

The Conference of Brussels, to devise means for suppressing the slave
trade in Africa, afforded an opportunity for a new expression of the interest
the American people feel in that great work. It soon became evident that
the measure proposed would tax the resources of the Kongo Basin beyond
the revenues available under the general act of Berlin of 1884. The United
States, not being a party to that act, could not share in its revision,
but by a separate act the Independent State of the Kongo was freed from
the restrictions upon a customs revenue. The demoralizing and destructive
traffic in ardent spirits among the tribes also claimed the earnest attention
of the conference, and the delegates of the United States were foremost
in advocating measures for its repression. An accord was reached the influence
of which will be very helpful and extend over a wide region. As soon as
these measures shall receive the sanction of the Netherlands, for a time
withheld, the general acts will be submitted for ratification by the Senate.
Meanwhile negotiations have been opened for a new and completed treaty
of friendship, commerce, and navigation between the United States and the
Independent State of the Kongo.

Toward the end of the past year the only independent monarchical government
on the Western Continent, that of Brazil, ceased to exist, and was succeeded
by a republic. Diplomatic relations were at once established with the new
Government, but it was not completely recognized until an opportunity had
been afforded to ascertain that it had popular approval and support. When
the course of events had yielded assurance of this fact, no time was lost
in extending to the new Government a full and cordial welcome into the
family of American Commonwealths. It is confidently believed that the good
relations of the two countries will be preserved and that the future will
witness an increased intimacy of intercourse and an expansion of their
mutual commerce.

The peace of Central America has again been disturbed through a revolutionary
change in Salvador, which was not recognized by other States, and hostilities
broke out between Salvador and Guatemala, threatening to involve all Central
America in conflict and to undo the progress which had been made toward
a union of their interests. The efforts of this Government were promptly
and zealously exerted to compose their differences, and through the active
efforts of the representative of the United States a provisional treaty
of peace was signed August 26, whereby the right of the Republic of Salvador
to choose its own rulers was recognized. General Ezeta, the chief of the
Provisional Government, has since been confirmed in the Presidency by the
Assembly, and diplomatic recognition duly followed.

The killing of General Barrundia on board the Pacific mail steamer Acapulco,
while anchored in transit in the port of San Jose de Guatemala, demanded
careful inquiry. Having failed in a revolutionary attempt to invade Guatemala
from Mexican territory, General Barrundia took passage at Acapulco for
Panama. The consent of the representatives of the United States was sought
to effect his seizure, first at Champerico, where the steamer touched,
and afterwards at San Jose. The captain of the steamer refused to give
up his passenger without a written order from the United States minister.
The latter furnished the desired letter, stipulating as the condition of
his action that General Barrundia's life should be spared and that he should
be tried only for offenses growing out of his insurrectionary movements.
This letter was produced to the captain of the Acapulco by the military
commander at San Jose as his warrant to take the passenger from the steamer.
General Barrundia resisted capture and was killed. It being evident that
the minister, Mr. Mizner, had exceeded the bounds of his authority in intervening,
in compliance with the demands of the Guatemalan authorities, to authorize
and effect, in violation of precedent, the seizure on a vessel of the United
States of a passenger in transit charged with political offenses, in order
that he might be tried for such offenses under what was described as martial
law, I was constrained to disavow Mr. Mizner's act and recall him from
his post.

The Nicaragua Canal project, under the control of our citizens, is making
most encouraging progress, all the preliminary conditions and initial operations
having been accomplished within the prescribed time.

During the past year negotiations have been renewed for the settlement
of the claims of American citizens against the Government of Chile, principally
growing out of the late war with Peru. The reports from our minister at
Santiago warrant the expectation of an early and satisfactory adjustment.

Our relations with China, which have for several years occupied so important
a place in our diplomatic history, have called for careful consideration
and have been the subject of much correspondence.

The communications of the Chinese minister have brought into view the
whole subject of our conventional relations with his country, and at the
same time this Government, through its legation at Peking, has sought to
arrange various matters and complaints touching the interests and protection
of our citizens in China.

In pursuance of the concurrent resolution of October 1, 1890, I have
proposed to the Governments of Mexico and Great Britain to consider a conventional
regulation of the passage of Chinese laborers across our southern and northern
frontiers.

On the 22d day of August last Sir Edmund Monson, the arbitrator selected
under the treaty of December 6, 1888, rendered an award to the effect that
no compensation was due from the Danish Government to the United States
on account of what is commonly known as the Carlos Butterfield claim.

Our relations with the French Republic continue to be cordial. Our representative
at that court has very diligently urged the removal of the restrictions
imposed upon our meat products, and it is believed that substantial progress
has been made toward a just settlement.

The Samoan treaty, signed last year at Berlin by the representatives
of the United States, Germany, and Great Britain, after due ratification
and exchange, has begun to produce salutary effects. The formation of the
government agreed upon will soon replace the disorder of the past by a
stable administration alike just to the natives and equitable to the three
powers most concerned in trade and intercourse with the Samoan Islands.
The chief justice has been chosen by the King of Sweden and Norway on the
invitation of the three powers, and will soon be installed. The land commission
and the municipal council are in process of organization. A rational and
evenly distributed scheme of taxation, both municipal and upon imports,
is in operation. Malietoa is respected as King.

The new treaty of extradition with Great Britain, after due ratification,
was proclaimed on the 25th of last March. Its beneficial working is already
apparent.

The difference between the two Governments touching the fur-seal question
in the Bering Sea is not yet adjusted, as will be seen by the correspondence
which will soon be laid before the Congress. The offer to submit the question
to arbitration, as proposed by Her Majesty's Government, has not been accepted,
for the reason that the form of submission proposed is not thought to be
calculated to assure a conclusion satisfactory to either party. It is sincerely
hoped that before the opening of another sealing season some arrangement
may be effected which will assure to the United States a property right
derived from Russia, which was not disregarded by any nation for more than
eighty years preceding the outbreak of the existing trouble.

In the tariff act a wrong was done to the Kingdom of Hawaii which I
am bound to presume was wholly unintentional. Duties were levied on certain
commodities which are included in the reciprocity treaty now existing between
the United States and the Kingdom of Hawaii, without indicating the necessary
exception in favor of that Kingdom. I hope Congress will repair what might
otherwise seem to be a breach of faith on the part of this Government.

An award in favor of the United States in the matter of the claim of
Mr. Van Bokkelen against Hayti was rendered on the 4th of December, 1888,
but owing to disorders then and afterwards prevailing in Hayti the terms
of payment were not observed. A new agreement as to the time of payment
has been approved and is now in force. Other just claims of citizens of
the United States for redress of wrongs suffered during the late political
conflict in Hayti will, it is hoped, speedily yield to friendly treatment.

Propositions for the amendment of the treaty of extradition between
the United States and Italy are now under consideration.

You will be asked to provide the means of accepting the invitation of
the Italian Government to take part in an approaching conference to consider
the adoption of a universal prime meridian from which to reckon longitude
and time. As this proposal follows in the track of the reform sought to
be initiated by the Meridian Conference of Washington, held on the invitation
of this Government, the United States should manifest a friendly interest
in the Italian proposal.

In this connection I may refer with approval to the suggestion of my
predecessors that standing provision be made for accepting, whenever deemed
advisable, the frequent invitations of foreign governments to share in
conferences looking to the advancement of international reforms in regard
to science, sanitation, commercial laws and procedure, and other matters
affecting the intercourse and progress of modern communities.

In the summer of 1889 an incident occurred which for some time threatened
to interrupt the cordiality of our relations with the Government of Portugal.
That Government seized the Delagoa Bay Railway, which was constructed under
a concession granted to an American citizen, and at the same time annulled
the charter. The concessionary, who had embarked his fortune in the enterprise,
having exhausted other means of redress, was compelled to invoke the protection
of his Government. Our representations, made coincidently with those of
the British Government, whose subjects were also largely interested, happily
resulted in the recognition by Portugal of the propriety of submitting
the claim for indemnity growing out of its action to arbitration. This
plan of settlement having been agreed upon, the interested powers readily
concurred in the proposal to submit the ease to the judgment of three eminent
jurists, to be designated by the President of the Swiss Republic, who,
upon the joint invitation of the Governments of the United States, Great
Britain, and Portugal, has selected persons well qualified for the task
before them.

The revision of our treaty relations with the Empire of Japan has continued
to be the subject of consideration and of correspondence. The questions
involved are both grave and delicate; and while it will be my duty to see
that the interests of the United States are not by any changes exposed
to undue discrimination, I sincerely hope that such revision as will satisfy
the legitimate expectations of the Japanese Government and maintain the
present and long-existing friendly relations between Japan and the United
States will be effected.

The friendship between our country and Mexico, born of close neighborhood
and strengthened by many considerations of intimate intercourse and reciprocal
interest, has never been more conspicuous than now nor more hopeful of
increased benefit to both nations. The intercourse of the two countries
by rail, already great, is making constant growth. The established lines
and those recently projected add to the intimacy of traffic and open new
channels of access to fresh areas of demand and supply. The importance
of the Mexican railway system will be further enhanced to a degree almost
impossible to forecast if it should become a link in the projected intercontinental
railway. I recommend that our mission in the City of Mexico be raised to
the first class.

The cordial character of our relations with Spain warrants the hope
that by the continuance of methods of friendly negotiation much may be
accomplished in the direction of an adjustment of pending questions and
of the increase of our trade. The extent and development of our trade with
the island of Cuba invest the commercial relations of the United States
and Spain with a peculiar importance. It is not doubted that a special
arrangement in regard to commerce, based upon the reciprocity provision
of the recent tariff act, would operate most beneficially for both Governments.
This subject is now receiving attention.

The restoration of the remains of John Ericsson to Sweden afforded a
gratifying occasion to honor the memory of the great inventor, to whose
genius our country owes so much, and to bear witness to the unbroken friendship
which has existed between the land which bore him and our own, which claimed
him as a citizen.

On the 2d of September last the commission appointed to revise the proceedings
of the commission under the claims convention between the United States
and Venezuela of 1866 brought its labors to a close within the period fixed
for that purpose. The proceedings of the late commission were characterized
by a spirit of impartiality and a high sense of justice, and an incident
which was for many years the subject of discussion between the two Governments
has been disposed of in a manner alike honorable and satisfactory to both
parties. For the settlement of the claim of the Venezuela Steam Transportation
Company, which was the subject of a joint resolution adopted at the last
session of Congress, negotiations are still in progress, and their early
conclusion is anticipated.

The legislation of the past few years has evinced on the part of Congress
a growing realization of the importance of the consular service in fostering
our commercial relations abroad and in protecting the domestic revenues.
As the scope of operations expands increased provision must be made to
keep up the essential standard of efficiency. The necessity of some adequate
measure of supervision and inspection has been so often presented that
I need only commend the subject to your attention.

The revenues of the Government from all sources for the fiscal year
ending June 30, 1890, were $463,963,080.55 and the total expenditures for
the same period were $358,618,584.52. The postal receipts have not heretofore
been included in the statement of these aggregates, and for the purpose
of comparison the sum of $60,882,097.92 should be deducted from both sides
of the account. The surplus for the year, including the amount applied
to the sinking fund, was $105,344,496.03. The receipts for 1890 were $16,030,923.79
and the expenditures $15,739,871 in excess of those of 1889. The customs
receipts increased $5,835,842.88 and the receipts from internal revenue
$11,725,191.89, while on the side of expenditures that for pensions was
$19,312,075.96 in excess of the preceding year.

The Treasury statement for the current fiscal year, partly actual and
partly estimated, is as follows: Receipts from all sources, $406,000,000;
total expenditures, $354,000,000, leaving a surplus of $52,000,000, not
taking the postal receipts into the account on either side. The loss of
revenue from customs for the last quarter is estimated at $25,000,000,
but from this is deducted a gain of about $16,000,000 realized during the
first four months of the year.

For the year 1892 the total estimated receipts are $373,000,000 and
the estimated expenditures $357,852,209.42, leaving an estimated surplus
of $15,247,790.58, which, with a cash balance of $52,000,000 at the beginning
of the year, will give $67,247,790.58 as the sum available for the redemption
of outstanding bonds or other uses. The estimates of receipts and expenditures
for the Post-Office Department, being equal, are not included in this statement
on either side.

The act "directing the purchase of silver bullion and the issue of Treasury
notes thereon," approved July 14, 1890, has been administered by the Secretary
of the Treasury with an earnest purpose to get into circulation at the
earliest possible dates the full monthly amounts of Treasury notes contemplated
by its provisions and at the same time to give to the market for the silver
bullion such support as the law contemplates. The recent depreciation in
the price of silver has been observed with regret. The rapid rise in price
which anticipated and followed the passage of the act was influenced in
some degree by speculation, and the recent reaction is in part the result
of the same cause and in part of the recent monetary disturbances. Some
months of further trial will be necessary to determine the permanent effect
of the recent legislation upon silver values, but it is gratifying to know
that the increased circulation secured by the act has exerted, and will
continue to exert, a most beneficial influence upon business and upon general
values.

While it has not been thought best to renew formally the suggestion
of an international conference looking to an agreement touching the full
use of silver for coinage at a uniform ratio, care has been taken to observe
closely any change in the situation abroad, and no favorable opportunity
will be lost to promote a result which it is confidently believed would
confer very large benefits upon the commerce of the world.

The recent monetary disturbances in England are not unlikely to suggest
a reexamination of opinions upon this subject. Our very large supply of
gold will, if not lost by impulsive legislation in the supposed interest
of silver, give us a position of advantage in promoting a permanent and
safe international agreement for the free use of silver as a coin metal.

The efforts of the Secretary to increase the volume of money in circulation
by keeping down the Treasury surplus to the lowest practicable limit have
been unremitting and in a very high degree successful. The tables presented
by him showing the increase of money in circulation during the last two
decades, and especially the table showing the increase during the nineteen
months he has administered the affairs of the Department, are interesting
and instructive. The increase of money in circulation during the nineteen
months has been in the aggregate $93,866,813, or about $1.50 per capita,
and of this increase only $7,100,000 was due to the recent silver legislation.
That this substantial and needed aid given to commerce resulted in an enormous
reduction of the public debt and of the annual interest charge is matter
of increased satisfaction. There have been purchased and redeemed since
March 4, 1889, 4 and 4 1\2 per cent bonds to the amount of $211,832,450,
at a cost of $246,620,741, resulting in the reduction of the annual interest
charge of $8,967,609 and a total saving of interest of $51,576,706.

I notice with great pleasure the statement of the Secretary that the
receipts from internal revenue have increased during the last fiscal year
nearly $12,000,000, and that the cost of collecting this larger revenue
was less by $90,617 than for the same purpose in the preceding year. The
percentage of cost of collecting the customs revenue was less for the last
fiscal year than ever before.

The Customs Administration Board, provided for by the act of June 10,
1890, was selected with great care, and is composed in part of men whose
previous experience in the administration of the old customs regulations
had made them familiar with the evils to be remedied, and in part of men
whose legal and judicial acquirements and experience seemed to fit them
for the work of interpreting and applying the new statute. The chief aim
of the law is to secure honest valuations of all dutiable merchandise and
to make these valuations uniform at all our ports of entry. It had been
made manifest by a Congressional investigation that a system of undervaluation
had been long in use by certain classes of importers, resulting not only
in a great loss of revenue, but in a most intolerable discrimination against
honesty. It is not seen how this legislation, when it is understood, can
be regarded by the citizens of any country having commercial dealings with
us as unfriendly. If any duty is supposed to be excessive, let the complaint
be lodged there. It will surely not be claimed by any well-disposed people
that a remedy may be sought and allowed in a system of quasi smuggling.

The report of the Secretary of War exhibits several gratifying results
attained during the year by wise and unostentatious methods. The percentage
of desertions from the Army (an evil for which both Congress and the Department
have long been seeking a remedy) has been reduced during the past year
24 per cent, and for the months of August and September, during which time
the favorable effects of the act of June 16 were felt, 33 per cent, as
compared with the same months of 1889.

The results attained by a reorganization and consolidation of the divisions
having charge of the hospital and service records of the volunteer soldiers
are very remarkable. This change was effected in July, 1889, and at that
time there were 40,654 cases awaiting attention, more than half of these
being calls from the Pension Office for information necessary to the adjudication
of pension claims. On the 30th day of June last, though over 300,000 new
calls had come in, there was not a single case that had not been examined
and answered.

I concur in the recommendations of the Secretary that adequate and regular
appropriations be continued for coast-defense works and ordnance. Plans
have been practically agreed upon, and there can be no good reason for
delaying the execution of them, while the defenseless state of our great
seaports furnishes an urgent reason for wise expedition.

The encouragement that has been extended to the militia of the States,
generally and most appropriately designated the "National Guard," should
be continued and enlarged. These military organizations constitute in a
large sense the Army of the United States, while about five-sixths of the
annual cost of their maintenance is defrayed by the States.

The report of the Attorney-General is under the law submitted directly
to Congress, but as the Department of Justice is one of the Executive Departments
some reference to the work done is appropriate here.

A vigorous and in the main an effective effort has been made to bring
to trial and punishment all violators of the law, but at the same time
care has been taken that frivolous and technical offenses should not be
used to swell the fees of officers or to harass well-disposed citizens.
Especial attention is called to the facts connected with the prosecution
of violations of the election laws and of offenses against United States
officers. The number of convictions secured, very many of them upon pleas
of guilty, will, it is hoped, have a salutary restraining influence. There
have been several cases where postmasters appointed by me have been subjected
to violent interference in the discharge of their official duties and to
persecutions and personal violence of the most extreme character. Some
of these cases have been dealt with through the Department of Justice,
and in some cases the post-offices have been abolished or suspended. I
have directed the Postmaster-General to pursue this course in all cases
where other efforts failed to secure for any postmaster not himself in
fault an opportunity peacefully to exercise the duties of his office. But
such action will not supplant the efforts of the Department of Justice
to bring the particular offenders to punishment.

The vacation by judicial decrees of fraudulent certificates of naturalization,
upon bills in equity filed by the Attorney-General in the circuit court
of the United States, is a new application of a familiar equity jurisdiction.
Nearly one hundred such decrees have been taken during the year, the evidence
disclosing that a very large number of fraudulent certificates of naturalization
have been issued. And in this connection I beg to renew my recommendation
that the laws be so amended as to require a more full and searching inquiry
into all the facts necessary to naturalization before any certificates
are granted. it certainly is not too much to require that an application
for American citizenship shall be heard with as much care and recorded
with as much formality as are given to cases involving the pettiest property
right.

At the last session I returned without my approval a bill entitled "An
act to prohibit bookmaking and pool selling in the District of Columbia,"
and stated my objection to be that it did not prohibit but in fact licensed
what it purported to prohibit. An effort will be made under existing laws
to suppress this evil, though it is not certain that they will be found
adequate.

The report of the Postmaster-General shows the most gratifying progress
in the important work committed to his direction. The business methods
have been greatly improved. A large economy in expenditures and an increase
of four and three-quarters millions in receipts have been realized. The
deficiency this year is $5,786,300, as against $6,350,183 last year, notwithstanding
the great enlargement of the service. Mail routes have been extended and
quickened and greater accuracy and dispatch in distribution and delivery
have been attained. The report will be found to be full of interest and
suggestion, not only to Congress, but to those thoughtful citizens who
may be interested to know what business methods can do for that department
of public administration which most nearly touches all our people.

The passage of the act to amend certain sections of the Revised Statutes
relating to lotteries, approved September 19, 1890, has been received with
great and deserved popular favor. The Post-Office Department and the Department
of Justice at once entered upon the enforcement of the law with sympathetic
vigor, and already the public mails have been largely freed from the fraudulent
and demoralizing appeals and literature emanating from the lottery companies.

The construction and equipment of the new ships for the Navy have made
very satisfactory progress. Since March 4, 1889, nine new vessels have
been put in commission, and during this winter four more, including one
monitor, will be added. The construction of the other vessels authorized
is being pushed both in the Government and private yards with energy and
watched with the most scrupulous care.

The experiments conducted during the year to test the relative resisting
power of armor plates have been so valuable as to attract great attention
in Europe. The only part of the work upon the new ships that is threatened
by unusual delay is the armor plating, and every effort is being made to
reduce that to the minimum. It is a source of congratulation that the anticipated
influence of these modern vessels upon the esprit de corps of the officers
and seamen has been fully realized. Confidence and pride in the ship among
the crew are equivalent to a secondary battery. Your favorable consideration
is invited to the recommendations of the Secretary.

The report of the Secretary of the Interior exhibits with great fullness
and clearness the vast work of that Department and the satisfactory results
attained. The suggestions made by him are earnestly commended to the consideration
of Congress, though they can not all be given particular mention here.

The several acts of Congress looking to the reduction of the larger
Indian reservations, to the more rapid settlement of the Indians upon individual
allotments, and the restoration to the public domain of lands in excess
of their needs have been largely carried into effect so far as the work
was confided to the Executive. Agreements have been concluded since March
4, 1889, involving the cession to the United States of about 14,726,000
acres of land. These contracts have, as required by law, been submitted
to Congress for ratification and for the appropriations necessary to carry
them into effect. Those with the Sisseton and Wahpeton, Sac and Fox, Iowa,
Pottawatomies and Absentee Shawnees, and Coeur d'Alene tribes have not
yet received the sanction of Congress. Attention is also called to the
fact that the appropriations made in the case of the Sioux Indians have
not covered all the stipulated payments. This should be promptly corrected.
If an agreement is confirmed, all of its terms should be complied with
without delay and full appropriations should be made.

The policy outlined in my last annual message in relation to the patenting
of lands to settlers upon the public domain has been carried out in the
administration of the Land Office. No general suspicion or imputation of
fraud has been allowed to delay the hearing and adjudication of individual
cases upon their merits. The purpose has been to perfect the title of honest
settlers with such promptness that the value of the entry might not be
swallowed up by the expense and extortions to which delay subjected the
claimant. The average monthly issue of agricultural patents has been increased
about 6,000.

The disability-pension act, which was approved on the 27th of June last,
has been put into operation as rapidly as was practicable. The increased
clerical force provided was selected and assigned to work, and a considerable
part of the force engaged in examinations in the field was recalled and
added to the working force of the office. The examination and adjudication
of claims have by reason of improved methods been more rapid than ever
before. There is no economy to the Government in delay, while there is
much hardship and injustice to the soldier. The anticipated expenditure,
while very large, will not, it is believed, be in excess of the estimates
made before the enactment of the law. This liberal enlargement of the general
law should suggest a more careful scrutiny of bills for special relief,
both as to the cases where relief is granted and as to the amount allowed.

The increasing numbers and influence of the non-Mormon population of
Utah are observed with satisfaction. The recent letter of Wilford Woodruff,
president of the Mormon Church, in which he advised his people "to refrain
from contracting any marriage forbidden by the laws of the land," has attracted
wide attention, and it is hoped that its influence will be highly beneficial
in restraining infractions of the laws of the United States. But the fact
should not be overlooked that the doctrine or belief of the church that
polygamous marriages are rightful and supported by divine revelation remains
unchanged. President Woodruff does not renounce the doctrine, but refrains
from teaching it, and advises against the practice of it because the law
is against it. Now, it is quite true that the law should not attempt to
deal with the faith or belief of anyone; but it is quite another thing,
and the only safe thing, so to deal with the Territory of Utah as that
those who believe polygamy to be rightful shall not have the power to make
it lawful.

The admission of the States of Wyoming and Idaho to the Union are events
full of interest and congratulation, not only to the people of those States
now happily endowed with a full participation in our privileges and responsibilities,
but to all our people. Another belt of States stretches from the Atlantic
to the Pacific.

The work of the Patent Office has won from all sources very high commendation.
The amount accomplished has been very largely increased, and all the results
have been such as to secure confidence and consideration for the suggestions
of the Commissioner.

The enumeration of the people of the United States under the provisions
of the act of March 1, 1889, has been completed, and the result will be
at once officially communicated to Congress. The completion of this decennial
enumeration devolves upon Congress the duty of making a new apportionment
of Representatives "among the several States according to their respective
numbers."

At the last session I had occasion to return with my objections several
bills making provisions for the erection of public buildings for the reason
that the expenditures contemplated were, in my opinion, greatly in excess
of any public need. No class of legislation is more liable to abuse or
to degenerate into an unseemly scramble about the public Treasury than
this. There should be exercised in this matter a wise economy, based upon
some responsible and impartial examination and report as to each case,
under a general law.

The report of the Secretary of Agriculture deserves especial attention
in view of the fact that the year has been marked in a very unusual degree
by agitation and organization among the farmers looking to an increase
in the profits of their business. It will be found that the efforts of
the Department have been intelligently and zealously devoted to the promotion
of the interests intrusted to its care.

A very substantial improvement in the market prices of the leading farm
products during the year is noticed. The price of wheat advanced from 81
cents in October, 1889, to $1.00 3/4 in October, 1890; corn from 31 cents
to 50 1/4 cents; oats from 19 1/4 cents to 43 cents, and barley from 63
cents to 78 cents. Meats showed a substantial but not so large an increase.
The export trade in live animals and fowls shows a very large increase.
The total value of such exports for the year ending June 30, 1890, was
$33,000,000, and the increase over the preceding year was over $15,000,000.
Nearly 200,000 more cattle and over 45,000 more hogs were exported than
in the preceding year. The export trade in beef and pork products and in
dairy products was very largely increased, the increase in the article
of butter alone being from 15,504,978 pounds to 29,748,042 pounds, and
the total increase in the value of meat and dairy products exported being
$34,000,000. This trade, so directly helpful to the farmer, it is believed,
will be yet further and very largely increased when the system of inspection
and sanitary supervision now provided by law is brought fully into operation.

The efforts of the Secretary to establish the healthfulness of our meats
against the disparaging imputations that have been put upon them abroad
have resulted in substantial progress. Veterinary surgeons sent out by
the Department are now allowed to participate in the inspection of the
live cattle from this country landed at the English docks, and during the
several months they have been on duty no case of contagious pleuro-pneumonia
has been reported. This inspection abroad and the domestic inspection of
live animals and pork products provided for by the act of August 30, 1890,
will afford as perfect a guaranty for the wholesomeness of our meats offered
for foreign consumption as is anywhere given to any food product, and its
nonacceptance will quite clearly reveal the real motive of any continued
restriction of their use, and that having been made clear the duty of the
Executive will be very plain.

The information given by the Secretary of the progress and prospects
of the beet-sugar industry is full of interest. It has already passed the
experimental stage and is a commercial success. The area over which the
sugar beet can be successfully cultivated is very large, and another field
crop of great value is offered to the choice of the farmer.

The Secretary of the Treasury concurs in the recommendation of the Secretary
of Agriculture that the official supervision provided by the tariff law
for sugar of domestic production shall be transferred to the Department
of Agriculture.

The law relating to the civil service has, so far as I can learn, been
executed by those having the power of appointment in the classified service
with fidelity and impartiality, and the service has been increasingly satisfactory.
The report of the Commission shows a large amount of good work done during
the year with very limited appropriations.

I congratulate the Congress and the country upon the passage at the
first session of the Fifty-first Congress of an unusual number of laws
of very high importance. That the results of this legislation will be the
quickening and enlargement of our manufacturing industries, larger and
better markets for our breadstuffs and provisions both at home and abroad,
more constant employment and better wages for our working people, and an
increased supply of a safe currency for the transaction of business, I
do not doubt. Some of these measures were enacted at so late a period that
the beneficial effects upon commerce which were in the contemplation of
Congress have as yet but partially manifested themselves.

The general trade and industrial conditions throughout the country during
the year have shown a marked improvement. For many years prior to 1888
the merchandise balances of foreign trade had been largely in our favor,
but during that year and the year following they turned against us. It
is very gratifying to know that the last fiscal year again shows a balance
in our favor of over $68,000,000. The bank clearings, which furnish a good
test of the volume of business transacted, for the first ten months of
the year 1890 show as compared with the same months of 1889 an increase
for the whole country of about 8.4 per cent, while the increase outside
of the city of New York was over 13 per cent. During the month of October
the clearings of the whole country showed an increase of 3.1 per cent over
October, 1889, while outside of New York the increase was 11.5 per cent.
These figures show that the increase in the volume of business was very
general throughout the country. That this larger business was being conducted
upon a safe and profitable basis is shown by the fact that there were 300
less failures reported in October, 1890, than in the same month of the
preceding year, with liabilities diminished by about $5,000,000.

The value of our exports of domestic merchandise during the last year
was over $115,000,000 greater than the preceding year, and was only exceeded
once in our history. About $100,000,000 of this excess was in agricultural
products. The production of pig iron, always a good gauge of general prosperity,
is shown by a recent census bulletin to have been 153 per cent greater
in 1890 than in 1880, and the production of steel 290 per cent greater.
Mining in coal has had no limitation except that resulting from deficient
transportation. The general testimony is that labor is everywhere fully
employed, and the reports for the last year show a smaller number of employees
affected by strikes and lockouts than in any year since 1884. The depression
in the prices of agricultural products had been greatly relieved and a
buoyant and hopeful tone was beginning to be felt by all our people.

These promising influences have been in some degree checked by the surprising
and very unfavorable monetary events which have recently taken place in
England. It is gratifying to know that these did not grow in any degree
out of the financial relations of London with our people or out of any
discredit attached to our securities held in that market. The return of
our bonds and stocks was caused by a money stringency in England, not by
any loss of value or credit in the securities themselves. We could not,
however, wholly escape the ill effects of a foreign monetary agitation
accompanied by such extraordinary incidents as characterized this. It is
not believed, however, that these evil incidents, which have for the time
unfavorably affected values in this country, can long withstand the strong,
safe, and wholesome influences which are operating to give to our people
profitable returns in all branches of legitimate trade and industry. The
apprehension that our tariff may again and at once be subjected to important
general changes would undoubtedly add a depressing influence of the most
serious character.

The general tariff act has only partially gone into operation, some
of its important provisions being limited to take effect at dates yet in
the future. The general provisions of the law have been in force less than
sixty days. Its permanent effects upon trade and prices still largely stand
in conjecture. It is curious to note that the advance in the prices of
articles wholly unaffected by the tariff act was by many hastily ascribed
to that act. Notice was not taken of the fact that the general tendency
of the markets was upward, from influences wholly apart from the recent
tariff legislation. The enlargement of our currency by the silver bill
undoubtedly gave an upward tendency to trade and had a marked effect on
prices; but this natural and desired effect of the silver legislation was
by many erroneously attributed to the tariff act.

There is neither wisdom nor justice in the suggestion that the subject
of tariff revision shall be again opened before this law has had a fair
trial. It is quite true that every tariff schedule is subject to objections.
No bill was ever framed, I suppose, that in all of its rates and classifications
had the full approval even of a party caucus. Such legislation is always
and necessarily the product of compromise as to details, and the present
law is no exception. But in its general scope and effect I think it will
justify the support of those who believe that American legislation should
conserve and defend American trade and the wages of American workmen.

The misinformation as to the terms of the act which has been so widely
disseminated at home and abroad will be corrected by experience, and the
evil auguries as to its results confounded by the market reports, the savings
banks, international trade balances. and the general prosperity of our
people. Already we begin to hear from abroad and from our customhouses
that the prohibitory effect upon importations imputed to the act is not
justified. The imports at the port of New York for the first three weeks
of November were nearly 8 per cent greater than for the same period in
1889 and 29 per cent greater than in the same period of 1888. And so far
from being an act to limit exports, I confidently believe that under it
we shall secure a larger and more profitable participation in foreign trade
than we have ever enjoyed, and that we shall recover a proportionate participation
in the ocean carrying trade of the world.

The criticisms of the bill that have come to us from foreign sources
may well be rejected for repugnancy. If these critics really believe that
the adoption by us of a free-trade policy, or of tariff rates having reference
solely to revenue, would diminish the participation of their own countries
in the commerce of the world, their advocacy and promotion, by speech and
other forms of organized effort, of this movement among our people is a
rare exhibition of unselfishness in trade. And, on the other hand, if they
sincerely believe that the adoption of a protective-tariff policy by this
country inures to their profit and our hurt, it is noticeably strange that
they should lead the outcry against the authors of a policy so helpful
to their countrymen and crown with their favor those who would snatch from
them a substantial share of a trade with other lands already inadequate
to their necessities.

There is no disposition among any of our people to promote prohibitory
or retaliatory legislation. Our policies are adopted not to the hurt of
others, but to secure for ourselves those advantages that fairly grow out
of our favored position as a nation. Our form of government, with its incident
of universal suffrage, makes it imperative that we shall save our working
people from the agitations and distresses which scant work and wages that
have no margin for comfort always beget. But after all this is done it
will be found that our markets are open to friendly commercial exchanges
of enormous value to the other great powers.

From the time of my induction into office the duty of using every power
and influence given by law to the executive department for the development
of larger markets for our products, especially our farm products, has been
kept constantly in mind, and no effort has been or will be spared to promote
that end. We are under no disadvantage in any foreign market, except that
we pay our workmen and workwomen better wages than are paid elsewhere--better
abstractly, better relatively to the cost of the necessaries of life. I
do not doubt that a very largely increased foreign trade is accessible
to us without bartering for it either our home market for such products
of the farm and shop as our own people can supply or the wages of our working
people.

In many of the products of wood and iron and in meats and breadstuffs
we have advantages that only need better facilities of intercourse and
transportation to secure for them large foreign markets. The reciprocity
clause of the tariff act wisely and effectively opens the way to secure
a large reciprocal trade in exchange for the free admission to our ports
of certain products. The right of independent nations to make special reciprocal
trade concessions is well established, and does not impair either the comity
due to other powers or what is known as the "favored-nation clause," so
generally found in commercial treaties. What is given to one for an adequate
agreed consideration can not be claimed by another freely. The state of
the revenues was such that we could dispense with any import duties upon
coffee, tea, hides, and the lower grades of sugar and molasses. That the
large advantage resulting to the countries producing and exporting these
articles by placing them on the free list entitled us to expect a fair
return in the way of customs concessions upon articles exported by us to
them was so obvious that to have gratuitously abandoned this opportunity
to enlarge our trade would have been an unpardonable error.

There were but two methods of maintaining control of this question open
to Congress--to place all of these articles upon the dutiable list, subject
to such treaty agreements as could be secured, or to place them all presently
upon the free list, but subject to the reimposition of specified duties
if the countries from which we received them should refuse to give to us
suitable reciprocal benefits. This latter method, I think, possesses great
advantages. It expresses in advance the consent of Congress to reciprocity
arrangements affecting these products, which must otherwise have been delayed
and unascertained until each treaty was ratified by the Senate and the
necessary legislation enacted by Congress. Experience has shown that some
treaties looking to reciprocal trade have failed to secure a two-thirds
vote in the Senate for ratification, and others having passed that stage
have for years awaited the concurrence of the House and Senate in such
modifications of our revenue laws as were necessary to give effect to their
provisions. We now have the concurrence of both Houses in advance in a
distinct and definite offer of free entry to our ports of specific articles.
The Executive is not required to deal in conjecture as to what Congress
will accept. Indeed, this reciprocity provision is more than an offer.
Our part of the bargain is complete; delivery has been made; and when the
countries from which we receive sugar, coffee, tea, and hides have placed
on their free lists such of our products as shall be agreed upon as an
equivalent for our concession, a proclamation of that fact completes the
transaction; and in the meantime our own people have free sugar, tea, coffee,
and hides.

The indications thus far given are very hopeful of early and favorable
action by the countries from which we receive our large imports of coffee
and sugar, and it is confidently believed that if steam communication with
these countries can be promptly improved and enlarged the next year will
show a most gratifying increase in our exports of breadstuffs and provisions,
as well as of some important lines of manufactured goods.

In addition to the important bills that became laws before the adjournment
of the last session, some other bills of the highest importance were well
advanced toward a final vote and now stand upon the calendars of the two
Houses in favored positions. The present session has a fixed limit, and
if these measures are not now brought to a final vote all the work that
has been done upon them by this Congress is lost. The proper consideration
of these, of an apportionment bill, and of the annual appropriation bills
will require not only that no working day of the session shall be lost,
but that measures of minor and local interest shall not be allowed to interrupt
or retard the progress of those that are of universal interest. In view
of these conditions, I refrain from bringing before you at this time some
suggestions that would otherwise be made, and most earnestly invoke your
attention to the duty of perfecting the important legislation now well
advanced. To some of these measures, which seem to me most important, I
now briefly call your attention.

I desire to repeat with added urgency the recommendations contained
in my last annual message in relation to the development of American steamship
lines. The reciprocity clause of the tariff bill will be largely limited
and its benefits retarded and diminished if provision is not contemporaneously
made to encourage the establishment of first-class steam communication
between our ports and the ports of such nations as may meet our overtures
for enlarged commercial exchanges. The steamship, carrying the mails statedly
and frequently and offering to passengers a comfortable, safe, and speedy
transit, is the first condition of foreign trade. It carries the order
or the buyer, but not all that is ordered or bought. It gives to the sailing
vessels such cargoes as are not urgent or perishable, and, indirectly at
least, promotes that important adjunct of commerce. There is now both in
this country and in the nations of Central and South America a state of
expectation and confidence as to increased trade that will give a double
value to your prompt action upon this question.

The present situation of our mail communication with Australia illustrates
the importance of early action by Congress. The Oceanic Steamship Company
maintains a line of steamers between San Francisco, Sydney, and Auckland
consisting of three vessels, two of which are of United States registry
and one of foreign registry. For the service done by this line in carrying
the mails we pay annually the sum of $46,000, being, as estimated, the
full sea and United States inland postage, which is the limit fixed by
law. The colonies of New South Wales and New Zealand have been paying annually
to these lines lbs. 37,000 for carrying the mails from Sydney and Auckland
to San Francisco. The contract under which this payment has been made is
now about to expire, and those colonies have refused to renew the contract
unless the United States shall pay a more equitable proportion of the whole
sum necessary to maintain the service.

I am advised by the Postmaster-General that the United States receives
for carrying the Australian mails, brought to San Francisco in these steamers,
by rail to Vancouver, an estimated annual income of $75,000, while, as
I have stated, we are paying out for the support of the steamship line
that brings this mail to us only $46,000, leaving an annual surplus resulting
from this service of $29,000. The trade of the United States with Australia,
which is in a considerable part carried by these steamers, and the whole
of which is practically dependent upon the mail communication which they
maintain, is largely in our favor. Our total exports of merchandise to
Australasian ports during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1890, were $11,266,484,
while the total imports of merchandise from these ports were only $4,277,676.
If we are not willing to see this important steamship line withdrawn, or
continued with Vancouver substituted for San Francisco as the American
terminal, Congress should put it in the power of the Postmaster-General
to make a liberal increase in the amount now paid for the transportation
of this important mail.

The South Atlantic and Gulf ports occupy a very favored position toward
the new and important commerce which the reciprocity clause of the tariff
act and the postal shipping bill are designed to promote. Steamship lines
from these ports to some northern port of South America will almost certainly
effect a connection between the railroad systems of the continents long
before any continuous line of railroads can be put into operation. The
very large appropriation made at the last session for the harbor of Galveston
was justified, as it seemed to me, by these considerations. The great Northwest
will feel the advantage of trunk lines to the South as well as to the East
and of the new markets opened for their surplus food products and for many
of their manufactured products.

I had occasion in May last to transmit to Congress a report adopted
by the International American Conference upon the subject of the incorporation
of an international American bank, with a view to facilitating money exchanges
between the States represented in that conference. Such an institution
would greatly promote the trade we are seeking to develop. I renew the
recommendation that a careful and well-guarded charter be granted. I do
not think the powers granted should include those ordinarily exercised
by trust, guaranty, and safe-deposit companies, or that more branches in
the United States should be authorized than are strictly necessary to accomplish
the object primarily in view, namely, convenient foreign exchanges. It
is quite important that prompt action should be taken in this matter, in
order that any appropriations for better communication with these countries
and any agreements that may be made for reciprocal trade may not be hindered
by the inconvenience of making exchanges through European money centers
or burdened by the tribute which is an incident of that method of business.

The bill for the relief of the Supreme Court has after many years of
discussion reached a position where final action is easily attainable,
and it is hoped that any differences of opinion may be so harmonized as
to save the essential features of this very important measure. In this
connection I earnestly renew my recommendation that the salaries of the
judges of the United States district courts be so readjusted that none
of them shall receive less than $5,000 per annum.

The subject of the unadjusted Spanish and Mexican land grants and the
urgent necessity for providing some commission or tribunal for the trial
of questions of title growing out of them were twice brought by me to the
attention of Congress at the last session. Bills have been reported from
the proper committees in both Houses upon the subject, and I very earnestly
hope that this Congress will put an end to the delay which has attended
the settlement of the disputes as to the title between the settlers and
the claimants under these grants. These disputes retard the prosperity
and disturb the peace of large and important communities. The governor
of New Mexico in his last report to the Secretary of the Interior suggests
some modifications of the provisions of the pending bills relating to the
small holdings of farm lands. I commend to your attention the suggestions
of the Secretary of the Interior upon this subject.

The enactment of a national bankrupt law I still regard as very desirable.
The Constitution having given to Congress jurisdiction of this subject,
it should be exercised and uniform rules provided for the administration
of the affairs of insolvent debtors. The inconveniences resulting from
the occasional and temporary exercise of this power by Congress and from
the conflicting State codes of insolvency which come into force intermediately
should be removed by the enactment of a simple, inexpensive, and permanent
national bankrupt law.

I also renew my recommendation in favor of legislation affording just
copyright protection to foreign authors on a footing of reciprocal advantage
for our authors abroad.

It may still be possible for this Congress to inaugurate by suitable
legislation a movement looking to uniformity and increased safety in the
use of couplers and brakes upon freight trains engaged in interstate commerce.
The chief difficulty in the way is to secure agreement as to the best appliances,
simplicity, effectiveness, and cost being considered. This difficulty will
only yield to legislation, which should be based upon full inquiry and
impartial tests. The purpose should be to secure the cooperation of all
well-disposed managers and owners; but the fearful fact that every year's
delay involves the sacrifice of 2,000 lives and the maiming of 20,000 young
men should plead both with Congress and the managers against any needless
delay.

The subject of the conservation and equal distribution of the water
supply of the arid regions has had much attention from Congress, but has
not as yet been put upon a permanent and satisfactory basis. The urgency
of the subject does not grow out of any large present demand for the use
of these lands for agriculture, but out of the danger that the water supply
and the sites for the necessary catch basins may fall into the hands of
individuals or private corporations and be used to render subservient the
large areas dependent upon such supply. The owner of the water is the owner
of the lands, however the titles may run. All unappropriated natural water
sources and all necessary reservoir sites should be held by the Government
for the equal use at fair rates of the homestead settlers who will eventually
take up these lands. The United States should not, in my opinion, undertake
the construction of dams or canals, but should limit its work to such surveys
and observations as will determine the water supply, both surface and subterranean,
the areas capable of irrigation, and the location and storage capacity
of reservoirs. This done, the use of the water and of the reservoir sites
might be granted to the respective States or Territories or to individuals
or associations upon the condition that the necessary works should be constructed
and the water furnished at fair rates without discrimination, the rates
to be subject to supervision by the legislatures or by boards of water
commissioners duly constituted. The essential thing to be secured is the
common and equal use at fair rates of the accumulated water supply. It
were almost better that these lands should remain arid than that those
who occupy them should become the slaves of unrestrained monopolies controlling
the one essential element of land values and crop results.

The use of the telegraph by the Post-Office Department as a means for
the rapid transmission of written communications is, I believe, upon proper
terms, quite desirable. The Government does not own or operate the railroads,
and it should not, I think, own or operate the telegraph lines. It does,
however, seem to be quite practicable for the Government to contract with
the telegraph companies, as it does with railroad companies, to carry at
specified rates such communications as the senders may designate for this
method of transmission. I recommend that such legislation be enacted as
will enable the Post-Office Department fairly to test by experiment the
advantages of such a use of the telegraph.

If any intelligent and loyal company of American citizens were required
to catalogue the essential human conditions of national life, I do not
doubt that with absolute unanimity they would begin with "free and honest
elections." And it is gratifying to know that generally there is a growing
and nonpartisan demand for better election laws; but against this sign
of hope and progress must be set the depressing and undeniable fact that
election laws and methods are sometimes cunningly contrived to secure minority
control, while violence completes the shortcomings of fraud.

In my last annual message I suggested that the development of the existing
law providing a Federal supervision of Congressional elections offered
an effective method of reforming these abuses. The need of such a law has
manifested itself in many parts of the country, and its wholesome restraints
and penalties will be useful in all. The constitutionality of such legislation
has been affirmed by the Supreme Court. Its probable effectiveness is evidenced
by the character of the opposition that is made to it. It has been denounced
as if it were a new exercise of Federal power and an invasion of the rights
of States. Nothing could be further from the truth. Congress has already
fixed the time for the election of members of Congress. It has declared
that votes for members of Congress must be by written or printed ballot;
it has provided for the appointment by the circuit courts in certain cases,
and upon the petition of a certain number of citizens, of election supervisors,
and made it their duty to supervise the registration of voters conducted
by the State officers; to challenge persons offering to register; to personally
inspect and scrutinize the registry lists, and to affix their names to
the lists for the purpose of identification and the prevention of frauds;
to attend at elections and remain with the boxes till they are all cast
and counted; to attach to the registry lists and election returns any statement
touching the accuracy and fairness of the registry and election, and to
take and transmit to the Clerk of the House of Representatives any evidence
of fraudulent practices which may be presented to them. The same law provides
for the appointment of deputy United States marshals to attend at the polls,
support the supervisors in the discharge of their duties, and to arrest
persons violating the election laws. The provisions of this familiar title
of the Revised Statutes have been put into exercise by both the great political
parties, and in the North as well as in the South, by the filing with the
court of the petitions required by the law.

It is not, therefore, a question whether we shall have a Federal election
law, for we now have one and have had for nearly twenty years, but whether
we shall have an effective law. The present law stops just short of effectiveness,
for it surrenders to the local authorities all control over the certification
which establishes the prima facie right to a seat in the House of Representatives.
This defect should be cured. Equality of representation and the parity
of the electors must be maintained or everything that is valuable in our
system of government is lost. The qualifications of an elector must be
sought in the law, net in the opinions, prejudices, or fears of any class,
however powerful. The path of the elector to the ballot box must be free
from the ambush of fear and the enticements of fraud; the count so true
and open that none shall gainsay it. Such a law should be absolutely nonpartisan
and impartial. It should give the advantage to honesty and the control
to majorities. Surely there is nothing sectional about this creed, and
if it shall happen that the penalties of laws intended to enforce these
rights fall here and not there it is not because the law is sectional,
but because, happily, crime is local and not universal. Nor should it be
forgotten that every law, whether relating to elections or to any other
subject, whether enacted by the State or by the nation, has force behind
it; the courts, the marshal or constable, the posse comitatus, the prison,
are all and always behind the law.

One can not be justly charged with unfriendliness to any section or
class who seeks only to restrain violations of law and of personal right.
No community will find lawlessness profitable. No community can afford
to have it known that the officers who are charged with the preservation
of the public peace and the restraint of the criminal classes are themselves
the product of fraud or violence. The magistrate is then without respect
and the law without sanction. The floods of lawlessness can not be leveed
and made to run in one channel. The killing of a United States marshal
carrying a writ of arrest for an election offense is full of prompting
and suggestion to men who are pursued by a city marshal for a crime against
life or property.

But it is said that this legislation will revive race animosities, and
some have even suggested that when the peaceful methods of fraud are made
impossible they may be supplanted by intimidation and violence. If the
proposed law gives to any qualified elector by a hair's weight more than
his equal influence or detracts by so much from any other qualified elector,
it is fatally impeached. But if the law is equal and the animosities it
is to evoke grow out of the fact that some electors have been accustomed
to exercise the franchise for others as well as for themselves, then these
animosities ought not to be confessed without shame, and can not be given
any weight in the discussion without dishonor No choice is left to me but
to enforce with vigor all laws intended to secure to the citizen his constitutional
rights and to recommend that the inadequacies of such laws be promptly
remedied. If to promote with zeal and ready interest every project for
the development of its material interests, its rivers, harbors, mines,
and factories, and the intelligence, peace, and security under the law
of its communities and its homes is not accepted as sufficient evidence
of friendliness to any State or section, I can not add connivance at election
practices that not only disturb local results, but rob the electors of
other States and sections of their most priceless political rights.

The preparation of the general appropriation bills should be conducted
with the greatest care and the closest scrutiny of expenditures. Appropriations
should be adequate to the needs of the public service, but they should
be absolutely free from prodigality.

I venture again to remind you that the brief time remaining for the
consideration of the important legislation now awaiting your attention
offers no margin for waste. If the present duty is discharged with diligence,
fidelity, and courage, the work of the Fifty-first Congress may be confidently
submitted to the considerate judgment of the people.